i want to know how much to charge....

[ddaayynnee]

i will like to see or hear what to charge for people for some events, wedding, parties, cars, headshots so lemme know

i got canon 40d (with 3 extra batteries, 50mm 1.8, 18-55mm 3.5, nissin di622, 2GB (too small to have raw files on it, maybe under 170 pics with raw files) (i know i need more stuff and u can try tell me what i need to shooting that i just list it up)

i dont do any prints, i can do retouch with lightroom 2 or photoshop cs3, i can burn the CDs, DVDs so help me out i just lost my job and im starting to think doing some photography thing for people to get pay i really neeed them and thanks

[Christopher Steven b]

Sorry to hear about the lost job. What experience do you have shooting events and weddings and headshots ? Do you have any samples of your work ?

[ddaayynnee]

it okay, so im now trying to making money

i got a lot sweet 16 pictures on my computer (650ish pictures) i do have alot experience but i feel like i need better gears to do this stuff

well i do have link but just few pictures and i havent upload some really good photos like from sweet 16 and other evens but heres link www.flickr.com/daynemahadeo

thanks for reply

[m33p33]

Take a course on how to start, own and operate a small business successfully.

Get faster glass and a flash for low light situations. (then learn how to use both) Your current glass is either slow focusing, noisy or too small aperture to get consistent shots in a fast paced environment like a wedding or party.

Buy or rent backup gear including body and lenses. Should your "go to" gear fail the day of the shoot and you can't take pictures for someones wedding or 50th anniversary you will get sued.

Build your portfolio up. Your flicker pics, while nice, currently do not show that you have the skills to take on a wedding/event or shoot product photos like automobiles professionally. This is not to suggest that you don't have the skills. They just are not apparent in what you have brought to the table.

[ddaayynnee]

so tell me what lens should i buy for those kind of events

i was thinking about buying canon 7D and keep 40D for back up as well

but right now im working on flash and lens thing before buying a new camera body

[m33p33]

24-70L 2.8, 70-200L 2.8 are typical for wedding ceremony and reception. Quiet and fast.
For faster, use prime lenses with fast aperture in that range.

[Tarzanman]

Stop price fixing over the internet and choose your own prices

[Christopher Steven b]

I am going to disagree here with m33p33 and suggest that you do not in fact need more gear just to start out (though perhaps a cheap telephoto wouldn't hurt). It is certainly ideal to have back-up lenses and back-up bodies and $3000 telephotos and also a business license and also insurance. But I think it is important to make a distinction between what is ideal and what is actually necessary to get a job done when one is beginning in event + wedding photography.

My advice, seriously, would be to shoot with the gear you have, making clear to your clients that you are starting out (ie. manage expectations), and shoot for free or near to free. My first 5 or 6 gigs were not about collecting money--they were about gaining confidence, experience and reaching into the public sphere.

[ddaayynnee]

i totally agreed with christopher and thanks for helping

right now im working on buying a computer from bhphoto store

i did sweet 16 for free and it was nice, it was hardcore tho and here some pictures from sweet 16 www.flickr.com/daynemahadeo

[Karl Johnston]

This could help you: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=853041

[FlyingPhotog]

Look at the links generated at the bottom of the screen...

[m33p33]

Maybe you can start out shooting senior portraits or family photos so that if your one camera breaks or you cant get 10 good shots in an hour because it is too dark for your nifty fifty to focus properly you can simply refund or reschedule.

You don't have that luxury for weddings or parties that are planned months or years in advanced. Taking a gig like that with no insurance and no backup gear is very risky and very unprofessional no matter what stage you are at in your business.

[lvidmar]

If you wanted to get some wedding shots in your portfolio, and get scared $#!†less of all the work that goes into "Wedding Photography" (there's a reason that that specific area of photography is a high paying profession in-and-of itself), post an ad on craigslist offering yourself as a "backup shooter." You might get something, and the experience will either be awesome for you, or scare you into selling your camera gear for good. :-)

[Christopher Steven b]

@m33p33: by this reasoning one is also not being professional by not having insurance, a business license, backups of all lenses (have 2 70-200 2.8's ?) etc.

Of course it isn't professional. He isn't a professional--nor was anyone when they did their first wedding or event. The point, I think, is to make this very clear with the client. No client who is getting a wedding for free or for a very low rate can possibly have these sorts of expectations. The idea that we sort of walk into our first gigs with the same kind of professional-ness and commensurate security (insurance, backups etc.) as someone who is already established in the game is a little ridiculous, I think.

[m33p33]

@ Christopher Steven b - The idea that we sort of walk into our first gigs with the same kind of professional-ness and commensurate security (insurance, backups etc.) as someone who is already established in the game is a little ridiculous, I think.

No, you follow the advice of the post above yours for your first several gigs if you are thinking about doing weddings.

[Sledhed]

You don't have that luxury for weddings or parties that are planned months or years in advanced. Taking a gig like that with no insurance and no backup gear is very risky and very unprofessional no matter what stage you are at in your business.

I couldn't agree more! NEVER shoot professionally without backup gear OR insurance.

[ddaayynnee]

where u guys get the insurance thing? and what does insurance do?

[Sledhed]

where u guys get the insurance thing? and what does insurance do?

You've never heard of liability or errors and omission insurance? Here's a good read from Hill & Usher's website. http://www.packagechoice.com/intro-to-photography-insurance.jsp

Personally all of my gear is insured and I carry 1 million in liability insurance.